Asplenium, Ceterach

Spleenwort
Saquluqandrium (Unani)

New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

	Left: Scolopendrum;
	Above: Scolopendrum verum, Arabian Ceterach
	Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

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Uses:

1. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-urinary diseases; Edema
-removes Kidneys and Bladder Stones (Avicenna)
-“It is also useful in Hiccough and Jaundice”. (Avicenna)
2. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Asthma
3. Opens Obstructions, Clears Melancholy:
-Spleen disease; swelling or hardness of the Spleen
-cleanses the Blood
-Fibroid Tumors and Cancer
-“With oxymel it becomes a wonderful drug for Spleen”. (Avicenna)

Dose:

Powder: 1–3 grams

Substitutes:

1. Scolopendrum (Hart’s Tongue) was commonly used by the Apothecaries for Ceterach according to Wirtzung.
2. Cynoglossum (Hound’s Tongue) is also used

Main Combinations:

1. Cleanse the Blood, Ceterach with Fumitory, Thyme, Chicory, Agrimony, Polypody
2. Obstruction of the Spleen, Ceterach with Tumeric, Rhubarb, Agrimony, Tamarisk, taken with the Syrup of 5 Opening Roots.
3. Cancer, Ceterach with Figwort root, Herb Robert, Agrimony, Tormentil, Scabious (Fuller)

Major Formulas:

Syrup to Purge all Humors of Frankfurt
Syrup of Chicory and Rhubarb (Nicholas)
Decoction for Cancer (Fuller)
Decoction to Open the Body (Riverius)
Decoction of Fumitory Compound